Bruce Pearl reacts to Auburn’s leading scorer declaring for NBA draft

Bruce Pearl, whom Kareem Canty referred to as a “father figure” and the “best coach in the land,” addressed the junior point guard’s sudden departure on Friday.

“Kareem accomplished a lot on the basketball court,” the Auburn coach said. “I think the frustration of the season, of so many injuries and not winning, those combinations really took its toll on him as a competitor, which then led to the kind of conduct that was detrimental to the team, which put me in a position where he was suspended indefinitely.

“He’s also decided to leave Auburn for personal reasons. It was his decision, and we wish him well.”

Canty, the Tigers’ leading scorer, on Thursday announced on Instagram that he has parted ways with the university and will enter the 2016 NBA Draft. He was suspended for the last two games for reportedly getting into a verbal altercation with an Auburn staff member at practice.